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Wardrobe in Gattice Wood, Piedmont Region, Mid-18th Century
Measurements at the cornice: 185 × 54 × 208 cm (h)
Mid-18th-century Piedmontese wardrobe, crafted in solid gattice, a wood widely used in domestic furniture across the Po Valley. Gattice is a variety of poplar (Populus tremula): light in weight, easy to work, naturally pale, and marked by subtle grain lines that darken over time, developing soft, shaded tones through exposure to air and light.
The structure is robust yet well balanced: the cornice has an essential moulding, and the two doors are divided into three panels with shield-shaped raised mouldings, a simple and effective motif that adds visual rhythm and breaks the flatness of the surfaces. The original external hinges and lock attest to long but careful use.
The interior is spacious and practical, originally intended to hold linen and clothing in the bourgeois homes of the period. Its compact construction and solid build reveal a piece designed to last, with a sturdiness that remains evident today.
This is a concrete and versatile piece: although eighteenth-century, it does not “shout” Baroque. Instead, it retains a restrained elegance that allows it to sit naturally in modern settings, where it adds immediate material presence, or in rustic-elegant interiors, where it can become a focal point, enhancing contrasts and unexpected combinations. Its warm, authentic patina—shaped by time—enriches its presence and helps create a unique and personal atmosphere.
The signs of wear tell the story of an object that has lived through many eras; far from being flaws, they form the signature of time, giving the wardrobe credibility, charm, and identity.
An authentic eighteenth-century Piedmontese wardrobe, with well-shaped mouldings, honest materials, and an original patina—finished with shellac and wax—that conveys its history with discretion and authority.
- Material: solid aspen poplar wood
- Size: Cm 185x54x208h
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Mid-18th century
- Style: Louis XV
- State: Optimal conditions
